Washing Machine Multi-Height Nozzle Design for Uniform Laundry Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with single or two nozzles restrict the direction of water spray, leading to uneven wetting of laundry, and recent technologies for drum rotation do not significantly improve performance.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a gasket with an annular guide pipe and multiple nozzles at different heights, allowing water to be sprayed at three or more heights, guided through a single common flow path, and with a pump capable of varying flow rate and pressure, ensuring thorough wetting even with large laundry loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single or two nozzles are used for water spray, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uniformity of wetting laundry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single water flow path is segmented into multiple spray directions through multiple nozzles (first nozzle for downward spray, second nozzle for upward spray, third nozzle for lateral spray). This segmentation allows water to be distributed in multiple directions simultaneously, achieving uniform wetting across the laundry load without requiring complex multiple independent spray systems
Solution Approach 2:
Each nozzle is positioned and oriented to provide localized spray coverage for specific regions of the drum. The first nozzle targets the upper region with downward spray, the second nozzle targets the lower region with upward spray, and the third nozzle targets the side region with lateral spray. This local quality approach ensures comprehensive and uniform wetting distribution throughout the entire laundry load
2Device complexity
If conventional drum rotation control technologies are used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the washing performance improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts drum rotation speeds at different washing stages. During the water spraying stage, the drum rotates at a first speed to optimize water distribution, and during the subsequent washing stage, it transitions to a second speed for effective washing. This dynamic speed adjustment, combined with the multi-directional spray system, significantly enhances washing performance without requiring complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The washing process employs periodic action by alternating between water spraying periods and washing periods. During water spraying periods, water is introduced through multiple nozzles while the drum rotates, and during washing periods, the drum continues rotating to agitate and wash the laundry. This periodic alternation optimizes both water distribution efficiency and washing effectiveness
3Device complexity
If water is sprayed from a single height, then the device complexity is reduced, but the three-dimensional coverage of laundry is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-height spray coverage to three-dimensional spray coverage by positioning nozzles at different heights and orientations. The first nozzle is positioned for downward spray covering the upper region, the second nozzle is positioned for upward spray covering the lower region, and the third nozzle provides lateral spray coverage. This dimensional expansion ensures comprehensive water distribution throughout the entire volume of the laundry load
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves three-dimensional washing, ensuring even wetting of laundry, reaching deep into the drum, and maintaining effectiveness with large laundry quantities.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which sends water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe which is fixed to the gasket, and forms an annular flow path for guiding water supplied from the pump
Implementation Method 2
capable of varying flow rate (or water pressure) of water sprayed through the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes: a casing, a tub, a drum, a cylindrical gasket connecting an input port of the casing to an opening of the tub, a pump configured to circulate water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe fixed to the gasket configured to guide water supplied from the pump, and nozzles configured to spray water from the guide pipe into the drum. The nozzles include an upper nozzle configured to spray water downward, intermediate nozzles disposed below the upper nozzle in both left and right sides and configured to spray water downward while spraying water deeper into the drum than the upper nozzle, and lower nozzles disposed above the inflow port, disposed below the intermediate nozzles in both left and right sides based on the inflow port and configured to spray water upward.